Batak is a chain of restaurants offering grilled meat and Croatian craft beers — a match made in heaven! The one I visit most often is in business part of Zagreb, but each restaurant offers the same high quality and great, fast service. And that’s the reason it’s been so popular lately.

On weekends, it might be hard to get a free table, but don’t worry, I’ve never waited longer than 15 minutes on the busiest days. For groups, it might be best to make reservations in advance.

So, let me get to the most important part – meat. The menu is small, but has the most important meals Croatians love: from ćevapćići (a kind of meatballs) and pljeskavica (burger meat with pita bread instead of buns) to classic ribs. Not to forget appetizers like grilled cheese called škripavac or chicken and goose pâté. It’s all amazingly good.

I have two favorites here. First are ćevapćići u kajmaku. Kajmak is kind of cream somewhere between cheese and butter and it’s so good you might fall in love with it. Trust me on that one. The second-favorite of mine is Gurmanska pljeskavica. It has all the right spices and the meat melts in your mouth. Literally!

Last but not least – beer. The selection will please any true beer drinker. From pale ales to stouts, from Croatia to Belgium. And all of them go perfectly with that meat that just came off the grill. Just writing this made me hungry, so see you in Batak!